Federal judges are appointed by the president. Poser is on the 6th circuit (appointed by by Reagan, maybe?) and I'm not sure I've ever heard of a judge going from one circuit to another.
The 6th Circuit covers both Nashville and Detroit and therefore has been the source some music-specific copyright case law. For example, about sampling. See: Bridgeport Music, Inc. v. Dimension Films for an example.
The 6Th Circuit: Home to the Hatfields and the McCoys, and probably more than a few bootleggers. =] I can see why it would spring to mind. All this IP talk must have put it on the mind.
